HB1309 • 2026

RELATING TO LAND TRANSFERS.

Active

The official status still shows this bill as active or still awaiting another formal step.

Sponsor: HOLT, KAHALOA, LAMOSAO, TARNAS
Last action: 2025-12-08
Official status: Carried over to 2026 Regular Session.
Effective date: Not listed

Plain English Breakdown

The official source material does not provide specific details on which state agencies will transfer land or how much land will be transferred, leaving these points as unknowns.

Land Transfers to DHHL

This bill allows certain state agencies to transfer land they own to the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands (DHHL).

What This Bill Does

Allows state agencies to give their land to the DHHL.
Requires that any existing buildings or improvements on the land stay with the land when it is transferred.

Who It Names or Affects

The Department of Hawaiian Home Lands (DHHL).
Certain state agencies that own land.

Terms To Know

Department of Hawaiian Home Lands (DHHL): A government agency in Hawaii responsible for managing and developing land for native Hawaiians as part of a trust created by the Hawaiian Homes Commission Act of 1920.
Fee simple interest: The complete ownership of a piece of property, including the right to use it, sell it, or give it away.

Limits and Unknowns

It is not clear which specific state agencies will transfer land.
The bill does not specify how much land will be transferred.
This bill only applies to certain lands under the jurisdiction of some state agencies and does not cover all government-owned properties.

Bill History

2025-12-08 D
Carried over to 2026 Regular Session.
2025-01-27 H
Referred to WAL, JHA, referral sheet 4
2025-01-23 H
Introduced and Pass First Reading.
2025-01-22 H
Pending introduction.

Official Summary Text

RELATING TO LAND TRANSFERS.
DHHL; State Agencies; Land Transfers
Authorizes the transfer of certain lands under the jurisdiction of certain state agencies to the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands.

Current Bill Text

Read the full stored bill text

HB1309

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

H.B. NO.

1309

THIRTY-THIRD LEGISLATURE, 2025

STATE OF HAWAII

A BILL FOR AN ACT

Relating
to Land Transfers
.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:

����
SECTION 1.
�
The
legislature finds that the mission of the department of Hawaiian home lands is
to develop and deliver land to native Hawaiians.
�
The land trust, created by Congress through
the Hawaiian Homes Commission Act of 1920, as amended (HHCA), set aside lands
to be used for the benefit of native Hawaiians.

����
As required by the Hawaii Admission Act of
1959 and as a compact with the United States, the State of Hawaii and the
people of Hawaii adopted the HHCA as a provision of the Hawaii State
Constitution and agreed to faithfully carry out the spirit of the HHCA for the
rehabilitation of the Hawaiian race.
�
These trust responsibilities remain to this
day.
�
The legislature also finds that
today, the department of Hawaiian home lands is responsible for the management
of 203,981 acres of trust lands, 10,045 homestead leases statewide, and 47,086
lease applications.
�
However, over 29,451
applicants remain on the waitlist for residential, agricultural, or pastoral
leases.

����
The legislature further finds that of the
department's land holdings, approximately five per cent are designated for
residential use, while over sixty-three per cent are designated for general
agriculture, special district, or conservation.
�
Given the limited land holdings, the legislature
finds that the department must identify more lands appropriate for homestead
development.

����
Accordingly, the purpose of this Act is to
authorize the transfer of certain lands under the jurisdiction of certain state
agencies to the department of Hawaiian home lands.

����
SECTION 2.
�

Notwithstanding any other law to the contrary, the fee simple interest
of certain lands under the jurisdiction of certain state agencies with the
existing improvements thereon shall be conveyed to the department of Hawaiian
home lands as grantee.

����
SECTION 3.
�

This Act shall take effect upon its approval.

INTRODUCED BY:

_____________________________

Report Title:

DHHL;
State Agencies; Land Transfers

Description:

Authorizes
the transfer of certain lands under the jurisdiction of certain state agencies
to the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands.

The summary description
of legislation appearing on this page is for informational purposes only and is
not legislation or evidence of legislative intent.